AN: Hey guys! I hope you like this chapter and I hope you're liking the story so far! Thanks for all your super sweet and supportive PMs and reviews! I really appreciate them.

I hate writing an author's note every other chapter or so, but yesterday I got a PM from a reader who is just catching up to the story...they were a bit offended by something they read in an earlier chapter. When I wrote 'somehow, I pulled her (Mellie)' I meant nothing objectifying by that, I promise.

I took that sentence out but it's important to me that y'all know I would never purposely put something offensive into my stories, especially along the lines of sexism or racism. By saying 'pull' I meant attract. It's just something people my age say but in the future I'll know better than to use 15 year old slang in my stories.

If I offended anyone else by saying that, I am genuinely sorry.

And I hope you enjoy this chapter.

I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

- Art Williams

November 27th, 2015

1:58 AM

Grant Estate

Los Angeles, California

Olivia's POV

If I look back on everything, I think I just accepted being alone at some point. I just accepted that I was kind of whorish and I would never settle. I didn't think I could ever be faithful. And I didn't like the idea of cheating on a significant other so I just accepted the fact that I would end up alone.

Because, to be honest, I have never had a true relationship. I mean, I have had those short term, meaningless relationships that never lasted. I have only had two boyfriends I cheated on both of them. And I was never proud of that. I hated that so I just told myself I wouldn't tie myself down to anyone so no one would end up getting hurt.

And then, I met Fitz. I met Fitz and I fell for him hard. I trusted him - more than I have ever trusted anybody. I literally showed up to his door and fell into his arms. And I trusted him not to drop me.

I don't know why I did. It was just something about him. I was never trying to get with him or anything. I know it may look that way. But I was never a gold digger and never a slut - at least when it came to him.

The point is, if I could possibly have Fitz (and I know I can't) I know he would be enough for me. I know I wouldn't cheat on him. He would be enough.

And I don't know if that excites me or scares the hell out of me.

I sigh and bring my arms across my back to unzip my dress. I don't know what to do at this point besides just change into my pajamas and go to sleep.

He said he loves me. That is insane. I know he was talking about me and that is literally driving me crazy. Because I feel exactly the same way. I really do love him. I think I have for a while now, even though we just met a couple of months ago. I trusted him that night. And that counted for something.

Even though we barely know each other and we're so freaking different, we love each other. I can't explain why or how. But we just do.

I don't know where we go from here though. After dinner, I just went up the stairs and he never followed me. Maybe he didn't mean it. Of course he didn't...he is a twenty two year old genius who is incredibly kind and super hot. He is so out of my league. He has a beautiful fiancée... how could he ever want me? I sigh. He was obviously talking about Mellie, even though he was looking directly at me. I am so stupid. I am literally so pathetic. He wasn't talking about me.

And even if he was, what's the point? For so many reasons, we can't be together. So I shouldn't get my hopes up.

"Hello?" The door opens and since I'm practically naked, my eyes go wide. How could I not lock the door? I'm literally in my bra and underwear...oh my god...

Tom, who enters the room, has the biggest grin on his face. "Wow. I came in here expecting Fitz but I am pleasantly surprised."

I blush and grab one of my camisoles that's laid out on the bed. "You're so annoying Tom."

"Don't worry," Tom shrugs, gesturing to my exposed body. "I wouldn't dare touch what's all Fitz's."

"Tom!" I hit his arm before sliding on the cami and a pair of pajama pants. "I am not Fitz's."

Tom shrugs again, smirking this time. "For now, at least."

I roll my eyes. "Is there another purpose for you coming in my room other than harassing me?"

Tom grins, moving towards the bed to sit on the foot of it after closing the door. He folds his hands in his lap and the look on his face grows more serious, which is weird because that's the last word I would use to describe Tom. "I wanted to ask if you were freaked out."

I cross my arms and lean on the closed door. "Why would I be freaked out?"

Tom takes a deep breath. "Fitz...saying he loves you over grace?"

I quickly decide to play dumb. "What? He was talking about Mellie..."

"Like hell he was," Tom snorts, dismissing that. He takes another breath and locks two very blue, very serious eyes with me. "He may have fooled everyone else but not me. Not even you, for that matter. Do you feel the same way?"

I don't say anything. It's not that I don't trust Tom. If there is anyone I trust more than Fitz, it's Tom. But I can't be with Fitz so I don't see the point in talking about it.

"Olivia," Tom speaks up again, louder as if I hadn't heard him the first time. "Do you love him?"

I press my lips together. "It doesn't matter."

"Of course it matters," Tom argues softly. He inhales. "Look, I'm not trying to pressure you into anything. What you feel is what you feel. But what I feel..." Tom takes a deep breath. "I feel like you love him too. And if you do, y'all deserve a chance."

I shake my head. "I do love him. But I can't hurt him more than I already have, Tom."

"You think you hurt him, Olivia?" Tom narrows his eyes. "You put him back together. I haven't seen him smile more than he does when he's in the same room with you." My heart warms up and I am about to say something but Tom keeps on going. "You make him happy, Liv. And he deserves happiness. And you know what? I think you do too."

November 27th, 2015

2:08 AM

Grant Estate

Los Angeles, California

Fitz's POV

"Fitz?"

I don't have to turn around to know who is calling me. I stretch my legs on the leather couch and bring up my blanket to the middle of my chest. Reaching for the remote to pause my episode of House of Cards, I take a deep breath.

In a fairness, me kind of avoiding Olivia ever since we had dinner a couple of hours ago isn't really fair. Especially since I basically confessed my love for her. But whatever. She's made mistakes and so have I. But me realizing I love her is not a mistake. Even if she doesn't feel the same way.

"Hi," I turn around and smile at Liv. She's standing in the living room entrance I don't know how she can make me so comfortable and so pleasantly nervous at the same time.

She's wearing a plain black camisole and light blue flannel pajamas. Her still curly hair is in a low ponytail. "Hi." She looks back at me, then around the huge living room. Despite many full sized couches and sofas she can sit on, she makes her way through the room and sits on the edge of mine. I pull my legs up under my ass to make room for her. She reaches over and pulls some of my blanket for herself. "You're not out shopping with Mellie?"

I shrug. "I didn't feel like it."

She nods like she understands. "What are we watching?"

"House of Cards," I reply, resting my head on the armrest. I take a deep breath. It's usually her asking the tough questions and me deflecting them. But I have to know. "Are you mad at me?"

Liv looks down at the fabric of the blanket. "No...I mean, you can't choose who you fall for, I guess." She sighs and I think she feels compelled to tell me she feels a certain way. The truth is, Liv could have absolutely no feelings for me at all. I just don't know that at this point.

I look at her. "Olivia...I didn't tell you that I loved you because I needed you to say it back. I said it so you knew."

Her eyes meet mine and she sighs again. "Do love her?"

"Mellie?"

Liv doesn't say anything, just looks at me like she wants to slap me for asking dumb ass questions, waiting for my answer. I stroke my thumb along the fabric of the cotton blanket. "Um, yes. I do. I guess. In a way. I don't know."

"This is what I'm talking about, Fitz," Liv shakes her head and turns it away. "You have none of this figured out."

"I love you," I blatantly tell her. "And I know it was a bitchy thing to confess that over a dinner table but I really do love you. I love you and I want to be with you and I think you feel the same damn way. And none of the rest of it matters."

"It does matter," Liv mumbles. "It does."

"No," I shake my head firmly. "You told me to be honest and here I am. I know you're flawed, Olivia, we all are. But why is it so hard for you to understand that you deserve to be loved? You don't deserve a crap life with resentment and drugs and..." I take a deep breath. "If you let me love you, Livvy..."

"It's not that simple," Liv protests angrily. "I do love you! More than anything! But...I can't. I shouldn't. We shouldn't. You have Mellie and-"

"Our engagement is a joke," I scoff. "Our entire relationship is a joke. And maybe I love her but she doesn't feel the same way so there is no point."

Liv shakes her head like I'm an idiot. "If you still love her, what the hell are we doing?"

I shake my head too. "You've got it all wrong, Livvy. Okay, so what if I have some type of feelings for her? You can't be with someone for four freaking years and not have feelings. Maybe I love her but I'm not in love with her. In fact...I don't even think I've been in love my entire life. I don't know what love is. Well, I didn't. Not until I met you." I take a deep breath. "I am literally pouring my heart out to you, which is not something I do often. So please listen to me. I have been so unhappy my entire life and I met you and...I don't want to be without you, Livvy."

"And I'm sorry," she turns around so she's leaning on the other armrest and she rests her legs on top of mine under the blanket. "Like I said, I love you. But I'm not okay with being your rebound."

"You're not," I promise her. I move my arms under the covers and rest my hands on top of her legs. I smile a little. "Do you really love me?"

Liv blushes and nods. "Yeah. I do."

I gently rub her legs under the covers over her pajamas. She is so beautiful to me. In every way. I don't have a written up analysis of why I love her - I just do. I love her a lot. It's not just lust. It's one hundred percent, unapologetic love. "Then we can make this work. I can end things with Mellie and...we can make this work. I want to make this work."

"You think I don't want that?" Livvy mumbles. She looks me in the eye and I know in that moment that she wants it too. She wants us too. "It's not that easy."

"Yes, it is," I lie to her, knowing very well she's right. This may end up in severe heartbreak for both of us but Olivia is the one I want. She is the one I need. There is no question about that. "I love you and you love me and none of the rest of it matters."

Olivia breaks a soft smile. I return it. She always makes me smile. No matter how I am, she always makes me a little bit happier. And I can never thank her enough for that. I lean over, cup my hands over her waist and slightly pull her so she's on my lap, straddling me.

"I wish it were that simple, Fitz." Livvy mumbles, her arms locking around my neck.

"It can be," I whisper, because I want it to. I want it to so bad that I can't even take it anymore. I have never wanted anybody more than I want Livvy right now, right here and forever. I can't even put in words how much she means to me. "We can make this work."

Liv brings her hand up and curls it into my hair. She gently rests her other hand on my broad shoulder. "What about Stanford? I don't want to be without you there...but I want you to be happy. And being there doesn't make you happy."

I look at her. She's so, so beautiful. Not even just on the outside - which she obviously is. Her body and face are A1 - there is no questioning that. But her soul...she is so caring. And funny. And just everything I could ever ask for.

"You make me happy," I mumble honestly, my eyes never leaving hers. I want to stand up to Big Jerry. I want to stand up to Mellie. I want to fight for my future. But I just don't know where to begin. "All I know is that I want you. And I want to know I have you, no matter what. That you'll be with me, every step of this way."

Unexpectedly, Liv leans in and presses her lips against mine. I open my mouth slightly and press my tongue over hers, not missing the chance this time. I feel her smile into the kiss, which makes me smile too. Kissing her, feeling her in my arms, just being with her is the highlight of my every day. I won't lie and say I haven't thought about having sex with her - of course I have. And of course I want to. But there is a time when that would feel right and it's not now. So I just gotta settle for kissing her and that's in a class of it's own. I could never get tired of it. I deepen the kiss, my arms tightening on her hold.

"I've got to stop doing that," she whispers when she pulls away.

I laugh softly. "I don't mind." I sneak in another quick kiss. "Sleep here with me. Don't go."

Livvy smiles again. "Stay here and get murdered by Mellie and your dad tomorrow morning?"

I laugh softly but I'm so serious. I want her here, with me. I don't want to deal with the eventual consequences if we get caught but I do want her to stay. "Please?"

"No," Liv protests softly, her fingers curling in my hair again. "I'm sorry, but that's a dumb move. For both of us. If I'm really not a rebound, prove it. I want us to be together but if what you feel for me is real and not out of spite for Mellie, you'll understand."

I roll my eyes, but I know she's trying to protect me in the end so it's hard to be annoyed. "Okay, you buzzkill."

Liv grins and leans her forehead against mine. "I love you, Fitz."

I beam. Hearing that come from her mouth means so much to me. I don't think I can ever get tired of it. Hopefully I'll be hearing it for a long time. "So...we're in this together?"

She nods slightly, her beautiful smile never fading. "We're in this together."